Identifying Suspension setup in newly acquired LC200

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Lexual470

Joined
Sep 9, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
8
Location
New Zealand
hi guys,

Just upgraded my 2003 LX470 to a 2008 LC200.

I’ve had the truck for 2 weeks and noticed that it rides quite hard and have read on the forum people saying that the factory suspension is soft and floaty. Mine is not soft and floaty, which is what I’d prefer around town.

Also, when it hits certain bumps it feels like the car shudders or bounces around. Don’t know how to explain it, sorry.

The truck is a Japanese import and came with aftermarket mag wheels which I had removed and put factory 2018 18” wheels on.

Just wondering how I would identify or test whether the Japanese owner has put in a stiffer coil set as I also feel it sits a bit lower than I’d imagine it should compared to my LX470.

I’ve looked under the wheels and the shocks and springs look black with no identifying marks that anything is aftermarket. I’d just like the comfortable suspension as going over small bumps isn’t the most comfortable.

Any help would be awesome as I can’t find any stats / measurementssuch as factory ride heights or distance between centre of wheel and wheel arch.

Is it easy enough to do a bounce test or measure something to know whether the springs have been modified to be stiffer?

Thanks in advance guys,

Dan
 
Sorry I couldn’t take better photos as I can’t jack the car up where I am. The only markings where a label on the front shock and some coloured dots on the front springs.

Added a pic of what I’m assuming is the KDSS.

If all is factory, what would be making the ride hard? I’ve had a prado 120 and the ride on that car was very comfortable.

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mcgaskins said:
Also here are some measurements of a stock US spec 200 with my lifted US spec 200: Builds - mcgaskins' 2016 build thread - Ruby
Click to expand...

That’s awesome thank you very much. When I get back home to a level driveway I’ll take a few measurements and compare. Everything on my car re the suspension looks stock but the ride quality there is something definitely going on.
 
Could be that the shocks are just worn out. The shudder you describe sounds like they're having trouble controlling the oscillations present from the spring compressing and rebounding.
 
Hammeredsole said:
Could be that the shocks are just worn out. The shudder you describe sounds like they're having trouble controlling the oscillations present from the spring compressing and rebounding.
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks! My car has done 145,000kms and looks to be still on the factory shocks, on a heavy vehicle I wouldn’t be surprised if these were worn?

Do you know of any other components to have checked which might cause the shudder / hard ride / vibration?
 
Lexual470 said:
Hi, thanks! My car has done 145,000kms and looks to be still on the factory shocks, on a heavy vehicle I wouldn’t be surprised if these were worn?

Do you know of any other components to have checked which might cause the shudder / hard ride / vibration?
Click to expand...

The suspension is fairly simple on these trucks, aside from the KDSS. If you don't have any knocks or clunks, your sway bar bushings and ball joints are probably OK. Based on the photos, it does appear to be totally stock suspension. Additionally, it's possible that the vehicle may have some spring sag, which could cause the truck to hit the bump stops on bigger hits.

The suspension is really the only thing needing upgrade on the LC200, so maybe consider that....
 
Hammeredsole said:
The suspension is fairly simple on these trucks, aside from the KDSS. If you don't have any knocks or clunks, your sway bar bushings and ball joints are probably OK. Based on the photos, it does appear to be totally stock suspension. Additionally, it's possible that the vehicle may have some spring sag, which could cause the truck to hit the bump stops on bigger hits.

The suspension is really the only thing needing upgrade on the LC200, so maybe consider that....
Click to expand...
Hi Hammeredsole, Incan confirm there aren’t any knocks or clunks. It’s a nice and quiet ride, just it’s stiff / hard and has a shudder type bounce when going over say a pothole or sharp bump.

Would you recommended replacing it with a new stock set if I am wanting a softer comfortable ride as I won’t be off-roading much except when we go hunting. 95% road car really. What do you think?
 
I wanted a plush ride also, but recognized the boat like ride from the factory and I tend to drive aggressively on occasion. I wanted a more controlled ride, but was also turned off by stiff suspension. A lot of folks say the OME nitrocharger shocks are pretty stiff, and I've been down the road of cheap suspension upgrades. I just upgraded to Radflo 2.5 IFP suspension, and I'm only looking for a minimal lift of around 1.5". I haven't installed it yet, but by all accounts its a smoother ride that factory, but still a performance enhancement with increased motion control and suspension travel.

Another big thing to consider is the tires. Factory tires are P285/60R18. If someone were to have installed an LT tire in place of the P factory tire (especially if it's an HT type tread) it will ride much stiffer. I changed my factory Dueler HT to BFG K02 AT tires, and despite them being an LT tire, I feel there is a lot more "squish" in the tread and I actually feel the road less. It could be that you just have a very stiff and heavy tire...
 
Hammeredsole said:
I wanted a plush ride also, but recognized the boat like ride from the factory and I tend to drive aggressively on occasion. I wanted a more controlled ride, but was also turned off by stiff suspension. A lot of folks say the OME nitrocharger shocks are pretty stiff, and I've been down the road of cheap suspension upgrades. I just upgraded to Radflo 2.5 IFP suspension, and I'm only looking for a minimal lift of around 1.5". I haven't installed it yet, but by all accounts its a smoother ride that factory, but still a performance enhancement with increased motion control and suspension travel.

Another big thing to consider is the tires. Factory tires are P285/60R18. If someone were to have installed an LT tire in place of the P factory tire (especially if it's an HT type tread) it will ride much stiffer. I changed my factory Dueler HT to BFG K02 AT tires, and despite them being an LT tire, I feel there is a lot more "squish" in the tread and I actually feel the road less. It could be that you just have a very stiff and heavy tire...
Click to expand...


Thanks mate for your replies I really appreciate it!

I’ve currently got the factory Geolander 285/18 on at the moment I might play with the pressures but feel the harshness is suspension related.

I also get a random vibration which I can only liken it to when you go over the bumps when you change lanes on the motorway which lasts for about 2-3secs then goes away. Any ideas on that also?

I had the AA come out and do a prepurchase inspextion and also have a 3 year mechanical warranty in case it’s anything driveline related.

Again, thanks for your knowledge!
 
Can you have someone else drive the vehicle? Someone accustomed to the 200.

What load rating are the tires? Pressures?
 
Lexual470 said:
I’ve currently got the factory Geolander 285/18 on at the moment...
Click to expand...

This doesn't tell us much. Can you let us know the tire type (P, LT, ISO-Metric), size (285,etc.), profile (60, 70, etc.), wheel diameter (17, 18, etc.), Load Index (114, 116, etc.) or Load Range (D, E, etc.) and what your door placard has for stock tire size and tire pressure?

TIA
 
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